Posted: January 2, 2010

Location of Sighting: Stakeford, Northumberland
Date of Sighting: January 1 2010
Time: 00.05 until 00.40

Witness Statement: I have noticed some of your writing on UFOs in the past so, here's another one for you. Firstly, I did live in the low-flying area for almost 30 years so, I know what aircraft are like and have witnessed some odd manoeuvres before: nothing like this though.

Occurrence over Stakeford, January 1st time 00.05 until 0040. A neighbour was setting fireworks off so I went upstairs to get a better view. As they stopped I noticed an orange fluorescent light approaching from the north. As I had seen this 'light' on two occasions last week I grabbed my binoculars to take a look. I could not make anything out at all apart from the bright orange light. As the light passed overhead, about 1,000' to 2,000' the light diminished and I estimated that this was due to the light facing forward and downward, only a slight light directly downward. Through the binoculars I could only make out a dark shape, either side of the light; too indistinguishable to say what it was apart from that it was something dark and solid. At this point the light was disappearing into the glow of the moon so; it was more or less lost in the direction to the east of Newcastle. Easiest description of this light: it looked like and orange street-light in the sky.

However, that was not enough. On turning north again another appeared and, yet another, in all I counted some sixteen in a thirty minute period. These were spread out and all flying in the same direction but with a further five diverging from the Newbiggin area. Their altitude and speed indicated that these 'aircraft' were of the helicopter variety. There was one other noticeable thing however; although it was a calm night, at that time with only broken cloud, there was no aircraft noise at all. From the other side of the house I noticed that at least two of these 'aircraft' dropped, suddenly, to low-level and became lost behind the houses. All 'aircraft' appeared to approach at low-level and began to climb as they crossed Stakeford.

Based on my knowledge gained over the years my guess would be that these aircraft were of the helicopter variety: are there such things as silent running helicopters? They were flying in a direct line from RAF Boulmer and flying south. I would also hazard a guess and say they were probably American, possibly had been on a training exercise for a week or so and were transiting back to one of the American bases in the south. Question is, why were they doing it at that time? Most air traffic is grounded around that time: just odd! As I said, I have had an interest in aviation for more than fifty years: I have never seen anything like that in my life. To see two or three at a time would be something but, sixteen? It beggars belief! I am totally baffled. However, I believe my explanation above is fairly near the mark. Don't let anyone say these were Chinese Lanterns that would be total rubbish. These 'aircraft' were flying they were not floating and they not hover. I also have to point out, due to time and date of the event: I don't drink, even on New Year.